Early Childhood Education & ESL

Designed to assist the future teacher in developing an understanding of the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development; the continuum of health and how it interrelates with academic performance. Prevention of disease, first aid, CPR, choking, drug abuse, current health issues, and health care agencies are presented to increase the potential teacher's awareness in assisting students in all areas of their lives which affect their academic success.

Course Hours: 2

Course not concerned with play production, acting, or any of the theatrical entertainment aspects of drama. It focuses on drama used solely as a therapeutic and educational tool in the classroom. Participants will focus on creative leadership and teaching strategies that include the following: conflict resolution through drama, critical thinking and life skills development, historical re-enactment techniques in social studies, "teacher-in-role" role playing, imagination exploration, values through game-playing, creative drama for special needs, and drama-in-education techniques for creatively teaching all subjects.

Course Hours: 3

An introductory overview of studio art processes, media, and art appreciation with an emphasis on creativity. Using traditional and non-traditional materials, students in this course develop inventive experimental approaches to a variety of pictorial media. This course is especially useful for students who will be using art in a clinical or classroom environment. Appropriate for non-art minors.

Course Hours: 3

Explores current approaches, methodologies, techniques, and materials for teaching English language learners primarily in K-12 setting. Designed to provide theoretical and practical experience in language acquisition. Course includes a 10 hour field experience.

Course Hours: 3

Addresses language skills including listening, speaking, writing, handwriting, spelling, grammar, and usage. Emphasis on the child's total language development will be addressed. Course includes a 20 hour field experience.

Course Hours: 3

A survey of children's literature in preparation for elementary school teaching and children's librarianship. The best of picture books and prose for children are introduced. Emphasis is placed on implementation of an effective literature program in the elementary grades.

Course Hours: 3

Language proficiency assessment for placing is not the same as evaluation of language demonstration and use. This course examines the differences between the two and combines methods with outcomes evaluation. Assessment for "placement" is compared with evaluation of outcomes. Placement is also examined in light of authentic language learning within a school setting. Candidates are expected to understand the various methods as well as produce samples of assessment and evaluation strategies.

Course Hours: 3

Examines the currently used models of ESL instruction from a variety of school boards and regions. These models are examined in light of language learning theory. Models of integration, inclusion, and other models of differentiated instruction are examined and students are expected to not only understand the differences but to also understand the implications for effective language learning.

Cross listed as EDU 2010

Course Hours: 3

This course includes the study of language transfer issues for ESL students and the examination of both the oral and written domains to provide appropriate instructional scaffolding. A descriptive linguistics course, including a focus on understanding phonologic, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of language as they apply to an understanding of any ESL student's native language, significance is also given to sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic aspects of language learning. This is a research course. Fee charged.

Course Hours: 3

Survey of United States' social, political, economic, and military development from 1877 to the present. Offered annually.

Course Hours: 3

Designed to provide some insight into the nature of mathematics by examining various mathematical structures. Topics include the development of the real number system, conventional and unconventional algorithms including working in different bases, elementary number theory, algebraic reasoning, data analysis, probability, geometry, and measurement. Critical thinking, writing, and problem solving will be emphasized.

Course Hours: 3

An overview of the issues related to the characteristics of the exceptional learner. Concepts of learning and classroom management in the public school are considered.

Course Hours: 3

Covers topics of geology, astronomy, meteorology, oceanography. Suitable for elementary or secondary education majors and for general education. Lab activities related to each major topic are included. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Course Hours: 3

Addresses the knowledge and skills that are essential for creating and implementing curricula appropriate for young children. The course places emphasis on high-quality, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social intellectual, and physical), play and creative expression, schedules, and activities by integrating play with drama, art and music for students Pre-K through 3rd grade. Defined are the stages of development in children's creative abilities. Course includes a 12 hour field experience in a licensed child development center (infants - four year olds) and twelve hours of field experience in grades K-3 (3 hours per grade level).

This course covers the objectives, principles, trends, materials, and current practices for teaching social studies and fostering social development in early childhood education. Students will learn how to develop appropriate strategies to improve the literacy skills of all children including children from other cultures. A focus will be placed on developing a respect for a variety of cultures including the similarities and differences in beliefs, knowledge bases, changes, values and traditions. The social studies component of this course will include the integration of social studies content and knowledge. Attention is called to the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12- hour field experience is required in grades K-3 (3 hours per grade level in areas of social studies).

This course explores methods that cover the planning and implementation of mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of experiences and activities appropriate to young children in the areas of mathematics content and processes, technology, and literacy/math in children’s daily lives. This course also focuses on the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12-hour field experience is required in grades PreK-3.

This course explores the nature, scope, and role of science experiences in the learning and development of young children with emphasis given to a constructivist, inquiry-oriented approach consistent with national standards. This course also focuses on methods that cover the planning and implementation of science appropriate for PreK-3 grades. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of experiences and activities appropriate to young children in the areas of science content and processes, technology, and literacy/science in children’s daily lives. This course also focuses on the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning environments (emotional, social, intellectual, and physical). A 12-hour field experience is required in grades PreK-3.

The course focuses on the teaching of reading and writing throughout the PreK-3 curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the objectives, developmental skills, materials, techniques, and the processes of assessing, diagnosing, and correcting reading and writing skills appropriate to Early Childhood. Instruction includes a holistic view of literacy development as well as methods of motivating young children to read and write in the content areas. A clinical field experience of 20 hours in both diagnosis and remediation in grades K-3 is required. At least 10 hours must be completed in an ESL classroom setting. Fee charged.

Provides observation and participation in a public school. Field study is completed in the following areas: classroom observation, classroom material preparation, and classroom interactions to enhance the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required of educators. The requirements for entering the Teacher Education Program are part of the course. Graded S-U.

Surveys the historical, social, philosophical, and psychological foundations of the American school system with emphasis on an introduction to the teaching profession. Designed to be the first course taken in the teacher education program. Taken in conjunction with EDU 1020.

Focuses on media and specific technologies appropriate to teachers in the educational setting, both for instructional purposes and administrative tasks. Includes exposure to and use of various equipment, materials, and software, including Internet and Office. Computer-assisted instruction and management techniques are presented.

Focuses on effective instructional methods and curriculum models for K-6 teachers. Common Core Standards and best practices in creating enthusiastic learning environments and writing learning plans are explored. Using data to inform instruction is addressed as part of the planning component. A 20 hour field experience is required.

Focuses on the major traditional and current behavior management theorists and strategies. Prepares the candidate to use effective strategies for developing a safe but invigorating classroom climate. The creation of a position plan paper and its implementation in a classroom with subsequent re-evaluation of the plan and the candidate's implementation strategies are included within this course.

Examines test construction and application of evaluation principles related to K-12. Emphasis on reading, interpreting, and using data from a variety of assessments including standardized and teacher-made achievement tests. Common Core Standards will be studied in relationship to both formative and summative assessment as instructional tools.

A prerequisite for Enhanced Student Teaching. This course provides the candidate with experiences in preparation, procedures, implementation, and submittal of required edTPA documentation for initial licensure. Permission required. Graded S/U.

Focuses on the application and analysis of knowledge and teaching skills in the classroom, lesson and unit planning, classroom management, discipline models, and current professional issues. Taken in conjunction with enhanced student teaching. Permission required.

Provides the culminating fifteen-week, semester-long experience of all who are specializing in early childhood education (K-3). Enhanced student teaching consists of full-day classroom observation and practice teaching in two different school settings: one 7 1/2 week placement in grade K-2 and one 7 1/2 -week placement in grades K-3. Graded S-U. Permission required.